New Delhi, Nov 16 – Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar emphasized the need for a self-reliant approach to address challenges in the maritime domain. Speaking at the two-day seminar, ‘AatmaNirbhar Air Arm of the Indian Navy 2023,’ hosted by the Southern Naval Command at Kochi, Admiral Kumar highlighted the potential application of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative to the Indian Naval Aviation sector.
Admiral Hari Kumar commended the progress made in localizing various spares and critical components for aircraft manufacturing within the country. He stressed the encouraging potential of the Indian industry in this regard. The seminar focused on fostering innovation and leveraging contemporary technology to revamp the indigenization process in naval aviation.
During the event, experts and panellists presented insightful papers, offering in-depth analysis and strategies to achieve self-reliance. Flight safety and the reduction of aircraft accidents were also emphasized, with a call for stringent checks and revisiting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The seminar recognized the remarkable performance of various naval squadrons and flights, with awards presented to recipients. Chief of Naval Staff awarded on-the-spot commendation to individuals, including Cdr Abhishek Tomar and Defence civilians Gitesh Shenoy MCM(AR) and Joseph Tom CM (AR), who contributed significantly to indigenization efforts, aligning with the principles of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
